Keylock

ABSTRACT

A lock of the pin tumbler type having locking blades within a rotating cylinder. The locking blades extend on both sides of the cylinder and lock the cylinder against rotation when the key is withdrawn. Locking grooves in the frame receive the blades to prevent rotation. The locking edges of the blades, and the groove edges, are inclined slightly from the axis motion of the blades so that, in the locking position, the edges of the blades are wedged against the groove edges, preventing even the slightest rotation of the cylinder.

United, States Patent 1191 Parlier 1 Jan. 29, 1974 [54] KEYLOCK FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventori Roger Ernest Parlier, Villa Pfelac,1,536,674 7/1968 France 70/379 R Perroy, Switzerland 1,172,981 v 6/1964Germany 70/364 R Filed: Feb. 8, 1972 Appl. No.: 224,534

Foreign Application Priority Data Feb, 24, 1971 Switzerland 2636/71 US.Cl. 70/364 R, 70/377, 70/379 R, 70/DlG. 60

Int. Cl E05b 15/14, EOSb 29/02 Field of Search 70/364 R, 377, 379 R,380, 70/DIG. 60, 375, 461

11/1967 Lett 7/1938 Gray 70/377 X ,lrimerym iaqmi e rli be tk-..

Wm. O. Heilrnan [5 7] ABSTRACT 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN29 I974 sum 1 [IF 3 KEYLOCK The present invention relates to a keylockcomprising a rotating cylinder within a frame which containsdiametrically disposed locking blades and return springs adapted tocause said blades to engage at one end in a locking groove of the framewhen the key is withdrawn.

This lock is characterized by the fact that the cylinder comprises acase having end parts of generally circular shape connected to eachother by two longitudinal parts, each having a cross-section having theshape of a circular segment and the parallel inner faces of whichconstitute the opposite walls of a crosswise recess in which there iscontained a removable assembly supporting the locking blades and thereturn springs.

One of the features of the invention includes the use. of diametricallydisposed locking blades which engage grooves in both sides of the frame.Such a lock is very difficult to open without the proper key.

Another feature of the invention is the wedge-like action of the lockingblades within the grooves in the frame. Theblades are spring urged toseat firmly in the grooves and make manipulation of the lock without thekey practically impossible.

Still another feature of the invention is the manner of retaining thesprings within the rotating cylinder, thereby simplifying assemblyoperations.

One embodiment of the lock forming the object of the invention is shownby way of example in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through this embodiment along the line11 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a section perpendicular to the section of FIG. 1, along theline 22 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sections taken along the lines 33 and 4-4respectively of FIG. 1 on a slightly larger scale;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section along the line 55 of FIG. 1, on a largerscale;

FIG. 6 is a detail view in perspective of the spring enclosures on alarger scale;

- FIG. 7 isa detail view of the locking blades on a larger scale.

The double-cylinder lock shown comprises in a frame 1 two opposingcylinder 2, 2' held axially in the frame by rings 3 and a tongue 4mounted for rotation on the inner ends of the two cylinders (FIG. 2).

The two cylinders 2, 2' are identical; they each have a case ofgenerally cylindrical shape 5 comprising end parts 5a and 5b ofgenerally circular shape connected to each other by two longitudinalparts 50 and 5d having a cross-section of the shape of a circularsegment (FIG. 5). The inner faces 6a and 6b of the parts 50 and 5d whichare established in parallel planes constitute the opposite walls of arecess 6 which passes through the cylinder.

The two cylinders 2, 2 are intended to turn in the frame 1. v

The tongue 4 has an opening 4a in the form of a cross. The inner endparts Sb of the two cylinders 2 and 2 are cut so as to form diametricslots 7 and 7'. In the slot 7 there are engaged the diametricallyopposed wings 8a and 8b of a first slider 8 which is thus fixed inrotation with the cylinder 2. In the slot 7' there are engaged thecorresponding wings of a second slider 8' which is fixed in rotationwith the cylinder 2.

The two sliders 8 and 8', which are rotatably mounted on a central pin9, have cylindrical bearing surfaces housed in bores of correspondingdiameter drilled in the end parts of the cylinders. The pin 9 and thetwo sliders 8 and 8 are movable axially and in the position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 the slider 8 is engaged in the opening 4a of the tongue 4which is thus fixed in rotation with the cylinder 2. The slider 8 whichis pushed back into the slot of the cylinder 2 is, on its part,completely freed from the opening of the tongue 4. The end parts of thecase 5 are pierced by an axial opening 11 in which there can slide thetail 12a ofa flat key 12 shown introduced into the cylinder 2' of thelock in the lower portion of FIG. 2. The shank of the key has lateralgrooves 12b and the opening 11 has complementary ribs which permit thepassage of the key only in one direction. The length of the key isdetermined in such a manner that its front end 12c cooperates with thepin 9 to bring the slider of the cylinder in which the key is engagedinto engagement with the tongue 4, while releasing the opposite sliderfrom the tongue.

As a result of the cross shape imparted to the opening 4a of the tongue,the latter can be mounted on the cylinders in four different angularpositions apart from each other. This possibility of mounting the tonguein positions 90 apart without turning it makes it possible to effect anadjustment of the position of the tongue by only partially withdrawingthe cylinder alone whose slider is in engagement with the tongue inorder to free it from said slider. During this operation, which requiresthe removal of the ring 3 of the cylinder to be displaced, the othercylinder remains in position and its inner end continues to serve aspivot for the tongue which therefore cannot be freed from the frame 1.

This possibility of modifying the angular position of the tongue by 90without removing one of the cylinders, nor having to turn the tongue,makes it possible to place the tongue easily on the right or on theleft, depending on the use of the lock, without the danger of losing anyparts.

The bore holes of the frame 1 containing the cylinders each have twoaxial locking grooves 13, 15 (FIGS. 2 and 5), which are diametricallyopposite, adapted to engage the ends of the locking blades describedbelow, and intended to prevent the cylinders from turning as long as akey of suitable shape is not introduced into the cylinder.

In the continuous recess 6 of each cylinder there are housed elevensmall parallel guide plates 15 which are held assembled in a package bytwo axial rods 16 threaded in corresponding holes of said plates (FIGS.1 and 3).

The stationary plates 15 and the rods 16 thus constitute a removableunit inserted in the continuous recess 6 of the case 5 of the cylinder.

Each plate 15 has a straight edge 15a resting against the adjacent face6b of the recess 6, two circular edges 15b and 15c being inscribed inthe bore of the frame 1, and a linear edge 15d parallel to the edge 15awhich is engaged in a narrow corresponding groove 60 recessed in theface 6a of the recess 6 (FIGS. 1 and 5)..

The edge 15d is on an edge portion 15e of the plate which is thinner dueto lateral recesses 15: recessed in the latter (FIG. 6). The recesses15: house the return springs 25 for the locking blades.

In their right-hand parts 15f threaded on the rods 16 (FIG. 5) the guideplates rest against each other, while their left-hand parts 15g, whichare formed with notches (FIG. 1), leave between each other free slots inwhich there are housed ten locking blades 19. These blades 19 haveparallel sides 19a and 19b in contact with a shoulder 15h of theadjacent stationary plate 15 and with the face 6a of the continuousrecess 6 respectively (FIG. 5).

Each blade 19 contains a notch 22 cut therein. This notch comprises abottom part 23 through which the shank 12a of the key passes and anentrance part 24 (FIG. 5). One edge 23a of the notch is adapted tocooperate with the lower edges of the key, while a spring compressedbetween an edge 24a of the notch and a bearing plate 26, urges the blade19 downward (FIG. 5). In the absence of the key, the blade 19 is movedby the spring 25 into an extreme lower position determined by the stopof the lower end part 190 of the blade in the corresponding lockinggroove 14 (FIG. 5).

During the displacement of the key in the cylinder, the blade is causedto rise upon the passage of a high portion of the key such as thatindicated at 122 (FIG. 5) or 12a (FIG. 2) and the opposite end part 19dof the blade 19 which is caused to pass beyond the outer surface of thecylinder, then passes momentarily into the opposite groove 13. Since thelocking grooves 13 and 14 are slightly staggered laterally towards theleft with respect to the axis BB of the cylinder (FIG. 3), the key cantherefore be withdrawn only in the single angular position of thecylinder which is shown in the figure.

The bearing plate 26 is engaged, as can be noted from FIG. 6, inlongitudinal grooves 27a recessed in the linear edges 15d of the plates15 and which extend in directions perpendicular to the slots 20.

The grooves 27a are arranged along two lines which are shifted laterallyfrom the axial plane of the cylinder.

The locking blades 19 can be mounted in both directions in the slots 20to cooperate with one or the other of the edges of the key, thecorresponding bearing plate 26 being displaced accordingly.

When several adjacent locking blades 19 are placed in the samedirection, like the three blades 19x, 19y and 191 (FIG. 2) for instance,a common bearing plate 2611 can be provided. I

In a variant, the plates 15 connected by the rods 16 can be replaced bya single element in which there are developed guide slots for thelocking blades 19 and the springs 25.

This element, which is produced, for instance, by molding, could alsohave foundry cast bridges resulting from casting to replace the bearingplates 26. These bridges can be provided in different positions,depending on the type of cylinder. Such a method of manufacture whichmakes it possible to reduce the cost is particularly indicated in thecase of locks intended for the automobile industry which must be verylow in cost.

As shown in FIG. 7, the locking groove 14 has lateral flanks 14a, 14bwhich are inclined with respect to each other and the end parts of thelocking blades engaged in said groove have lateral edges which have thesame inclination. The groove 13 and the opposite end parts of the bladesare shaped in the same manner.

In advanced position, the inclined edges of the locking blades thereforestrike against the convergent flanks of the grooves 13 and 14, thenpreventing even the slightest rotation of the cylinder.

Furthermore, as a result of this inclination, the widths dx, dy, dz ofthe end of the blades of different lengths varies so that the outerangles X, Y, Z of the blades are not arranged in the same plane but areshifted laterally, as indicated at el and e2 in the case of the bladeswhich are visible in FIGS. 7.

As a result of these shifts, the outer angles of the blades brought tothe diameter of the bore hole are then not arranged on the samegeneratrices, but remain staggered, so that it is impossible, in case anattempt is made to pick the lock by means of skeleton keys,progressively to bring each blade to rest against the edge P of thegroove as the result of a slight rotation of the cylinder, as can bedone with other known locks having blades.

As a matter of fact, if all the blades are withdrawn slightly by meansof a skeleton key, a blade whose radial position would then permit itsresting against the edge of the groove is precisely shifted rearwardwith respect to another blade which has not been sufficiently withdrawnand can therefore not be caused to touch said edge.

Furthermore, due to the fact that some blades protrude' on two oppositesides of the cylinder, even a slight rotation of the cylinder isimpossible in case of an attempt to pick the lock. As a matter of fact,for picking the look, a special tool may be used in order to withdrawblades gradually, but this action can be carried out only on thoseblades operating from the same side, so that those operating from theother side remain in engagement with the side walls of the correspondinggroove and still prevent any angular movement of the cylinder.

The fact that the conical blades of different length penetration to agreater or lesser extent into the grooves also makes it impossible toestablish, by prior determination of their locking position, the shapeto be imparted a skeleton key.

The advantages of the lock shown are as follows:

a. Due to its cage shape, the case of the cylinder has better rigidity,the strength of the lock is increased thereby and the cutting on thelathe of said part, which must be effected with precision in order toavoid play on the part of the cylinder in the body, is therebyfacilitated.

b. The assembly of the locking blades which varies from one lock toanother can be mounted as a unit in the case of the cylinder by simplesliding in the recess passing through the latter. These units can beprepared in advance and delivered separately for mounting as required inthe locks.

c. The angular position of the tongue can easily be modified so as toform a right-hand or left-hand lock without having to turn the tonguearound and by means of a very limited displacement of only one of thecylinders.

a. The convergent shape of the locking grooves and of the end parts ofthe locking blades considerably increases the difficulties in pickingthe lock, which is practically pick-proof.

e. Finally, the locking blades and the intermediate guide plates caneasily be formed by stamping, which also decreases the cost ofmanufacture.

I claim:

1. In a lock having a rotatable cylinder. and a series of diametricallypositioned locking blades housed in a frame, the improvement comprising:

a. a plurality of locking grooves on both sides of the frame forreceiving the locking blades when a key is withdrawn, said groovesformed with straight sloping sides making the base of the groove shorterthan the top;

b. an axial recess in the rotatable cylinder for receiving a key and forhousing the locking blades in spaced relation;

0. said locking blades formed with ends having straight inclined sidesfor tightly engaging said locking grooves in the frame;

d. a return spring for each locking blade, said springs positioned inthe rotatable cylinder and engaging a plate secured to the cylinder anda portion of the locking blade for urging the blade to move one of itsends into its locking groove; and

e. a plurality of retaining plates, one for each blade,

. 6' for retaining the locking blades adjacent to their locking grooves.

2. A lock according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable cylinder isremovable and is formed by a series of guide plates connected to eachother by at least one traverse rod, said guide plates each formed with anotch for producing slots for positioning said locking plates.

3. A lock according to claim 1 wherein two rotatable cylinders aremounted in axial alignment, one on each side of a supporting member foroperation by a key from either side; said cylinders coupled to anoperating tongue which is axially movable by the end of the key toengage a bolt for operating the lock.

4. A lock according to claim 1 wherein said locking grooves on bothsides of the frame comprise recessed portions in the frame which extendfor the entire length of the rotatable cylinder, the axis of each groovedisposed parallel to the cylinder axis. l=

1. In a lock having a rotatable cylinder and a series of diametricallypositioned locking blades housed in a frame, the improvement comprising:a. a plurality of locking grooves on both sides of the frame forreceiving the locking blades when a key is withdrawn, said groovesformed with straight sloping sides making the base of the groove shorterthan the top; b. an axial recess in the rotatable cylinder for receivinga key and for housing the locking blades in spaced relation; c. saidlocking blades formed with ends having straight inclined sides fortightly engaging said locking grooves in the frame; d. a return springfor each locking blade, said springs positioned in the rotatablecylinder and engaging a plate secured to the cylinder and a portion ofthe locking blade for urging the blade to move one of its ends into itslocking groove; and e. a plurality of retaining plates, one for eachblade, for retaining the locking blades adjacent to their lockinggrooves.
 2. A lock according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable cylinderis removable and is formed by a series of guide plates connected to eachother by at least one traverse rod, said guide plates each formed with anotch for producing slots for positioning said locking plAtes.
 3. A lockaccording to claim 1 wherein two rotatable cylinders are mounted inaxial alignment, one on each side of a supporting member for operationby a key from either side; said cylinders coupled to an operating tonguewhich is axially movable by the end of the key to engage a bolt foroperating the lock.
 4. A lock according to claim 1 wherein said lockinggrooves on both sides of the frame comprise recessed portions in theframe which extend for the entire length of the rotatable cylinder, theaxis of each groove disposed parallel to the cylinder axis.